The Top Things to do in Canberra

Location: Treloar Cres, Canberra

If there’s a singular word to describe our #1 entry on this list, “humbling” would likely be it. The Australian War Memorial is one of the most significant buildings in Australia that serves as some combination of attraction, museum, archive and tribute all rolled into one, and its size and contents combine to make it an experience that can be as harrowing as it is informative and enjoyable.

Fittingly located at the bottom of ANZAC Parade, it’s simply a must for every Australian citizen to visit once in their lives, and serves as a fitting memorial to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our country.

The Memorial features a staggering array of moving displays depicting conflicts dating to Australia’s colonial period way back in 1788 and covering the likes of World War 1 and 2, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and more modern conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan as well as more general overviews of military history and way of life.

Each war is covered in painstakingly elaborate detail, with stories, weaponry, photos and videos documenting the trials and tribulations of all involved. There are even military vehicles ranging from light aircraft to cannons which can be found in various sections of the memorial and which help add even more of a touch of realism to the proceedings.

Scale maps show geographical layouts of where conflicts occurred and where significant battles and events took place, with the World War I Gallipoli feature being a particular highlight.

Perhaps the most unintentionally impact feature of the memorial is the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier located in the memorial's mosaic-lined and stained glass featured Hall of Memory that represents all of the nameless heroes in each branch of the armed services who have lost their lives in wars throughout the world- and one does not need to be a religious person to feel such an atmosphere here.

"Each war is covered in painstakingly elaborate detail, with stories, weaponry, photos and videos documenting the trials and tribulations of all involved at the Australian War Memorial. The poppy wall is the most moving monument of all.

The building itself is likewise impressive, with its large, stone construction feeling larger in scale that it probably truly is, while also providing a great outlook over Canberra to Old Parliament House and beyond.

At such a serious facility, it also may seem that bringing kids along may be an unspoken no-no, however the memorial has its own dedicated Kids Discovery Zone that aims to educate them to some degree about the war while also allowing them to clamber on and sit in the likes of a Vietnam War-era helicopter, a World War 1 style trench, and even a small submarine!

While some may find the experience of visiting the Australian War Memorial inherently solemn and even depressing, its pure meaningfulness can’t be denied - and there’s simply so much here to keep the senses occupied and brain interested for all ages that there’s a good reason it ranks at the pointy end of our list of the top things to do in Canberra.

Location: Parkes Place, Canberra

A completely different kind of gallery to the above, the National Gallery of Australia is a truly expansive attraction that takes history one step further and features a staggering array of historical and cultural-artistic artefacts spanning a great chunk of human history and geographical regions ranging from Australia to the Pacific and the Asian continent.

With a collection of over 160,000 individual pieces on display, the quantity of things to see and do here can be almost overwhelming; large, open spaces are nonetheless packed with world-class items on permanent display with even more if temporary exhibitions are included.

The Gallery is divided up into five main sections - Australian Art, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, European & American, Asian and the Pacific are all covered in their own wing, while unique individual pieces - notably Jackson Pollock’s “Blue Poles” famed work from the 1950’s, among many others - feature prominently with an impressive degree of curation.

The gallery is laid out over three levels, starting with an open, cathedral-esque layout at the entrance that continues on into the Asian section on the ground floor and out into the charming Sculpture Garden. It’s a large facility that can take some time to navigate, and it’s easy to spend a full day - or multiple days - here if art is a particular passion.

There’s also a surprisingly good cafe inside that makes for a reasonably-priced spot to grab lunch and rest tired legs before pressing onwards. Kids are also catered for via specially-designed brochures that act as a simulated “treasure hunt”, tasking them to find certain pieces or art located at regular intervals around the gallery - a crafty means of keeping them entertained.

"The National Gallery of Australia is a truly expansive attraction that takes history one step further and features a staggering array of historical and cultural-artistic artifacts spanning a great chunk of human history."

Tours of the National Gallery of Australia are available in two “flavours” - there are regularly-scheduled, free tours conducted by knowledgeable and passionate staff members, while there’s also a hireable audio guide available for a small fee which you can equip and then follow the narration around from one exhibit to the next; this can actually be preferable in some cases to the guided tours as during busier periods the size of groups means views of the featured exhibits may be obscured.

Professionally managed, well laid out, comprehensive and encompassing all ends of the world’s art spectrum, the NGA is arguably Australia’s best gallery - and also offers general entry FREE of charge.

Location:King Edward Terrace, Canberra

Many facilities make the bold claim of being “both educational and fun” - while usually being an absolute snore-fest - but Questacon (a.k.a the National Science and Technology Centre) is a place that can truly live up to the hype.

Featuring an emphasis on interactivity from all ages, Questacon actually DOES make learning fun with over 200 exhibits showcasing everything from the human body to the origins of electricity and the solar system.

an extensive array of exhibits (over 200 in total) that showcase everything from the human body to the origin of electricity to the solar system and everything else in between on the science-y scale.

The facility itself is set out over a series of numbered rooms divided up by theme and laid out over several levels, along with regular shows that take place throughout the day and go into further details about the scientific aspects of each exhibit in a way that both adults and kids can understand.

A simple way to enjoy Questacon is to start at the top floor and then work your way down; as there’s an extensive array of regular exhibits on offer, it can take some time to make it from one level to the next, so you’ll want to end up closer to the exit once you’ve had enough.

These regular offerings are augmented by temporary displays that showcase various parts of the scientific and natural worlds, so even if you’ve visited before there will likely be something new to absorb and take in.

Featuring an emphasis on interactivity and encouraging active involvement from all ages, Questacon actually DOES make learning fun.

For those adults who are looking to satisfy their own curiousity without having to deal with the large number of kids running around, Questacon also offers special “adults only” nights at a great discount (priced at $10 as opposed to the typical $30), so if you’re visiting during a time period where this is an option it’s highly advisable to go then as you’ll not only have a bit more peace and quiet, but fewer visitor numbers typically means more hands-on time with the interactive exhibits.

The substantial amount of things to see and do on offer mean it’s possible to spend multiple hours at Questacon and still not see and do everything, so if you’re looking for an entertaining and stimulating way to pass half a day during your visit to Canberra, Questacon is well worth the monetary investment.

It’s a truly unique attraction in Australia, as well - where else can you experience a realistic simulation of an earthquake, a real lightning strike up close, play hockey versus a robot, and any number of other quirky activities that all have a solid scientific foundation behind them? Questacon is the only answer, and if you’ve got kids along for the ride, it’s simply a must-visit.

Location: 999 Lady Denman Dr, Weston Creek, Canberra

For animal and wildlife-based entertainment, there’s nowhere in the ACT that can compare to the National Zoo and Aquarium - the only such combined facility in Australia - that’s set on a relatively compact 7 hectare stretch of land and brimming with both native and exotic animals from both land and sea.

It’s a facility that is both clean, comprehensive and well-maintained, and the animals’ cages are generously spacious as opposed to some other facilities where you can’t help but feel sorry for them being closed in.

The zoo has a layout that makes an organic use of the landscape rather than bulldozing its what to cram in as much as possible; lions and snow leopards are on an appropriately natural hillside location, while the cheetahs, giraffes and other animals also have plenty of room to roam rather than looking confined and depressed.

The diverse array of animals on offer is always continually growing, and the zoo continues to be renovated and expanded to increase the scale of offerings worthy of such a facility in our nation’s capital - recent years have seen the addition of the likes of tigers, meerkats, monkeys and various other characters of the wildlife kingdom while still retaining its original intimate feel.

Despite being privately owned, it also feels remarkably lest “touristy” than a number of alternative similar zoos and wildlife facilities as well - while there’s the obvious gift shop, commercialism isn’t crammed down your throat, lending the zoo a more natural atmosphere that one would likely want when attempting to immerse themselves in the world of wildlife.

"The National Zoo and Aquarium is remarkably less touristy than alternative zoos and there are numerous chances for guests to book interactive animal experiences with the likes of cheetahs, white lions and giraffes.

that is both clean, comprehensive and well-maintained, and the animals’ cages are generously spacious as opposed to some other facilities."

The zoo also offers a range of bookable interactive animal experiences where guests can get up close with the likes of cheetahs and also tours that will allow you to feed white lions and giraffes which - while they come at an extra cost - are well worth the cost of admission and add a more dynamic layer to the typical “passive viewing” experience.

These also feature in-depth explanations from the passionate guides about not only the animals but the zoo itself, so you’ll come away with a higher level of appreciation for the facility and its weird and wonderful inhabitants.

The facility’s aquarium component meanwhile adds another dynamic to the attraction; while it’s not massive, it features some rare species of marine life that can’t be found at most other larger facilities around Australia, as well as the more “typical” offerings such as sharks, fish and coral of the Great Barrier Reef, and amphibious life such as frogs and reptiles.

The National Zoo and Aquarium is situated along the waterfront where the Molonglo River runs into Lake Burley Griffin and can be reached via a short 10 minute drive to the west of the city centre, and is accessible by both car and bus, making the proposition of getting a dose of animal action both quick and easy.

While the price may seem steep, considering it’s basically combining two attractions in one, when the price of admission to both a zoo and an aquarium is factored in it’s more than reasonable and provides a solid 6 hours of entertainment while in Canberra.

Location: 11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls, Canberra

One of the more charming attractions Canberra has to offer, Cockington Green Gardens is a lovingly-crafted, miniature recreation of an English village which has now expanded to feature an entire international-themed area.

The level of detail and care put into the creation of this miniature village is incredible and easy to appreciate; if it wasn’t for the small scale it would be hard to discern the difference between some of the models and the real thing!

Attention to detail is the name of the game at Cockington Green, as there’s plenty of little, easy-to-miss things going on outside of the more obvious main exhibits; characters planning secret meetings behind buildings, domestic disputes, animals running amok and more are all awaiting for the eagle eye to discover - all of which are done with a subtle sense of humour.

"The level of detail and care put into the creation of this miniature village is incredible and easy to appreciate."

t’s a truly delightful spot to visit for those who are bringing the kids along, perhaps at its best during sunny days but retaining an aura of magic during drizzle; the facility even provides free umbrellas for guests to use should they happen to have their visit occur during rainy weather.

The exhibits at Cockington Green are far from static, as well - there’s plenty of motion and activity going on here, with the likes of windmills, miniature trains, gardens that light up and even a ridable steam train that can take you on an enchanting little ride through the gardens and various displays.

Each of the sections - the facility is divided into the two main “Original” and “International” displays - offer their own highlights, with mini-Stonehenge and the mini-game of cricket being a favourite of the Original area, while the castles of the International area are simply incredible in their construction and faithfulness to the real thing.

The gardens of Cockington Green themselves also deserve a worthy tip of the cap, as they are immaculately groomed and maintained and feature postcard-perfect grass along with an array of dazzling floral displays and smaller shrubs which emulate the likeness of full-sized trees with their layout alongside the exhibits.

An enchanting experience for young and old, Cockington Green simply oozes charm and should be on any Canberra itinerary.

Location: 314 Majura Rd, Majura

While areas around Australia such as the Barossa, Yarra and Hunter Valleys are no doubt the first that spring to mind when conjuring up images of “Aussie wine country”, don’t sleep on the ACT - it’s got an expansive rural area of countryside that’s host to around 140 individual vineyards and over 30 wineries where it’s possible to sample a drop or three of the “good stuff”.

Perhaps the best of these is Mount Majura Vineyard, an award-winning locale which is situated on the slopes of Mt Majura on a unique section of red soil, and easily accessibly via a roughly 15 minute drive from the Canberra CBD.

The vineyard boasts both a pleasant outlook, famously hospitable hosts and some of the best Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Rieslings in the region and it’s also got history behind it, being the first official vineyard in the ACT when vines were planted back in 1988.

"The vineyard boasts a laid-back, unpretentious vibe atypical of many other wineries, with the friendly hosts only too happy to provide detailed information about each of the featured wines produced here at Majura Vineyard."

The facility boasts a laid-back, unpretentious vibe atypical of many other wineries, with the friendly hosts only too happy to provide detailed, interesting information about each of the featured wines that cover all aspects of the taste spectrum.

Mount Majura Vineyard also offer visitors the chance to take part in a self-guided tour through the vineyards (nicknamed the Gumboot Tour) that follows a trail which outlines the history and layout of the site, wine production and grape growing, and culminates in a panoramic view overlooking the vineyard.

While it’s still not a massive facility, Mount Majura Vineyard has expanded significantly since its inception and now offers an additional array of wines both white and red, which when combined with their patented seated wine tastings make for one of the more accessible and comprehensive - while still reasonably-priced - wine tasting experiences in the ACT.

Couple these with an array of fresh produce and food offerings - including truffles, rich cheeses and more - and you’ve got a spot in Canberra that offers a true delight for the palate that is sure to appeal to both the wine aficionado and average traveller alike.